Navigating the Minefield: The Challenges Faced by Queer People in Draconian Nigeria
For queer people in Nigeria, life is a minefield of challenges, as they navigate a society that is deeply hostile to their existence. A society that encourages their lynching and construes them as “moral-deviants" The country’s draconian laws criminalize same-sex relationships, and queer people are often subject to harassment, discrimination, and violence.
One of the biggest challenges facing queer people in Nigeria is the lack of legal protections. The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill (SSMPA) was signed into law.on the 7th of January 2014. The SSMPA’s stated goal is to forbid marriages between people who identify as one sex or another. The truth is that it covers a lot more ground. The legislation bars same-sex sexual partners from living together and forbids them from exhibiting their relationship in public. The SSMPA mandates a 10-year prison term for anybody who "registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, groups and organizations" or "supports" the activities of such organizations. A 10- to 14-year prison sentence is the maximum penalty. The SSMPA effectively criminalizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Given how much modern society has evolved beyond hateful judgemental bias towards queer people, this draconian and discriminatory law has created a climate of fear, making it difficult for queer people to live openly and authentically.
In addition to legal challenges, queer people in Nigeria face social stigma and discrimination. They are often subject to harassment and violence, both from individuals — who are often quick to call them “demon-possessed”, as a result of their natural sexual orientation and from state actors. This had made it difficult for them to access healthcare, education, and employment, and has left them feeling isolated and overwhelmingly marginalized.
Furthermore, the media in Nigeria often perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation about queer people, fueling prejudice and hatred. This has further created a culture in which queer people are viewed as deviant and immoral, making it difficult for them to find acceptance and support.
However, despite these challenges, queer people in Nigeria continue to resist and to fight for their rights. On social media, they are forming communities and support networks, advocating for legal protections, and working to educate the public about the realities of their lives. They are also finding allies among those who believe in equality and justice, creating a movement that has the potential to transform Nigerian society.
In order to support queer people in Nigeria, we need to cultivate a greater sense of empathy and understanding. We need to listen to their stories, to acknowledge the challenges they face, and to stand in solidarity with them in their struggle for equality. We also need to challenge the harmful stereotypes and misinformation that perpetuate prejudice and hatred, creating a culture that is more inclusive and accepting of diversity.
In conclusion, the challenges faced by queer people in Nigeria are many and complex. However, through their resilience and resistance, they are creating a movement for change that has the potential to transform the widely-held anachronistic belief that queer people are moral deviants who are riddled with a plethora of terminal diseases such as AIDS, Monkey Pox etc. In order to support this movement, we need to cultivate a greater sense of empathy and understanding, standing in solidarity with queer people in their struggle for liberty, equality and justice.
